Deconstruction Christianity. Leaving the Lord.  

¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:19(ESV)

For the next several days we are taking a sabbatical from our study of the Gospel of Matthew. Instead, the subject to be studied will be Deconstruction Christianity.

Faith deconstruction, also known as deconstructing faith, evangelical deconstruction, the deconstruction movement, or simply deconstruction, is a Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink and examine their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their involvement in organized religion or the church.

Having listed some recent examples of individuals deconstructing their faith in Christ, what examples and teaching do we encounter from God’s Word about this subject? Are there instances where individuals deconstructed their faith in the LORD? What were the results of this behavior?

It can be argued that any decision to sin, or making a greater commitment to the LORD, involves a deconstructing of one’s past that impacts one’s present walk with Christ. To this end, there are many instances found in Scripture, both positive and negative, of such deconstructing behavior. The following examples are but a select few.

Israel’s sin of worshipping the Golden Calf (Exodus 32). In spite of the Exodus and God’s providential care, many of the Israelites rebelled against Yahweh and chose to worship an idol.

The Prophet Habakkuk’s complaint against God’s impending judgment of the Kingdom of Judah (Habakkuk 1-3). Habakkuk objected to the LORD’s impending judgment of Judah because of their sin. While the prophet acknowledged Judah’s wickedness, and wanted God to judge them, Habakkuk protested the LORD using the Babylonians to do so.

The Prophet Jonah’s behavior before God (Jonah 1-4). Jonah fled from the presence of the LORD because he did not want to submit to the LORD.

Jesus’ Parable of the Soils (Matthew 13:1-23). Jesus addressed the subject that not all who hear the Gospel, and respond to the Gospel, are truly converted by the Gospel.

The disciples who no longer wanted to follows Jesus (John 6:66-71). Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse on the sovereignty of God in salvation offended many who had initially followed the Lord (John 6:35-65). They chose to leave Jesus.

John Mark who left Paul and Barnabas on the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:13; 15:36-41).

Demas, a fellow worker with the Apostle Paul who utterly abandoned Paul and Christianity because of a love with the present world (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:10).

The Apostle Paul’s warning to the Ephesians elders concerning those who would seek to draw away believers in Christ and have them follow their false teachings (Acts 20:28-30).

The individuals to whom James wrote concerning their spiritual adultery (James 4:1-4). James had in mind those who outwardly professed and associated with the church. However, they held a deep affection for the fallen, evil world system of thought and behavior.

Those who the Apostle John identified as antichrists (I John 2:18). He explained the reason they left the Christian faith was because they were never truly converted (I John 2:19).

The first characteristic mentioned of antichrists, i.e., false teachers and deceivers (vv. 22–26), is that they depart from the faithful They arise from within the church and depart from true fellowship and lead people out with them. They lack the perseverance of the saints. Additionally, they deny that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, Savior and Lord (I John 2:22–23). Thirdly, they endeavor to deceive true believers (I John 2:26).

“Those genuinely born again endure in faith and fellowship and the truth (1 Cor. 11:19; 2 Tim. 2:12). The ultimate test of true Christianity is endurance (Mark 13:13; Heb. 3:14). The departure of people from the truth and the church is their unmasking,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Admittedly, this is a brief set of deconstruction examples. The Epistle of Jude offers an extended treatment of spiritual deconstruction. It is to this epistle we will briefly examine when next week meet.

Soli deo Gloria!